Sexual abuse
What is sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse refers to any sexual activity or behaviour that happens without a person’s consent.
Sexual abuse can involve physical contact, but it can also occur without physical interaction, including online or through harassment.
Consent means agreeing to what’s happening by choice and having the freedom, capacity and ability to make and change that choice. Consent cannot be given if someone is pressured, manipulated, frightened, unconscious or unable to understand what is happening. Sex without consent is rape.
Sexual abuse can be carried out by strangers, but it is often committed by someone known to the person experiencing abuse, including partners, family members, friends, carers, or people in positions of trust.
Some types of sexual abuse include:
- rape (and attempted rape)
- assault by penetration
- child sexual abuse
- sexual assault
- sexual harassment
- sexual exploitation
- indecent exposure (including cyberflashing)
- intimate image abuse (also known as revenge porn)
It is important to understand that sexual abuse is never the fault of anyone who experiences it and can happen to anyone regardless of their age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
If you are in immediate danger
Call the police on 999 now if:
- you or your children’s safety is threatened
- you are injured or at risk of injury.
If it is not safe to speak, press 55 when you are prompted and listen for more instructions. You will be able to conduct your whole call in silence if needed.
If you are deaf or cannot communicate verbally you can register with the emergency SMS service. Text REGISTER to 999. A text will then be sent with instructions on what to do next. This should be done when it is safe so that the emergency services can be reached by text when someone is actually in danger.
Help if you have experienced sexual abuse
If you have experienced sexual abuse, there are a number of organisations who can offer help and support. You do not have to report to the police if you do not feel ready to do so.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
SARCs are independent medical centres not linked to police. They offer a private, safe, discreet and caring environment designed for all survivors of sexual assault, including men, women, LGBT+, and children.
These centres offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted, abused or raped. They have specially trained doctors or nurses to care for you and make onward referrals for therapy, counselling and other support services.
They are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
For those not wanting to report to the police, self-referrals are accepted.
In order to preserve any evidence that may be present it is vital that help from the SARC is accessed as soon as possible after an assault. In addition, the SARC can advise on and assist with other medical needs.
In Derbyshire, the SARC provider for adults is Millfield House SARC.
For those under 18, the provider is Coral Cove - East Midlands Children and Young People’s Sexual Assault Service. Telephone 0800 183 0023.
SV2
SV2 offers support to victims of both recent and historical sexual abuse and violence in Derbyshire, including counselling, therapy and independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs). SV2 supports all genders from any age, and all services are available to adults and children.
You can access their services online or by calling their advice line Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Telephone 01773 746115
Sail
Sail is a Derbyshire based charity offering free, specialist counselling, drama therapy, art therapy and other complementary therapies for adults aged 18 and over in Derbyshire who have experiences childhood sexual abuse, incest or sexual violence.
Their helpline 08000 282 678 is open on Tuesdays 10am to 2pm, on Wednesdays 4pm to 8pm and on Thursdays 10am to 4pm.
Deaf-initely Women
Deaf-initely Women provides services for deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing women, including a qualified independent domestic violence advisor IDVA) / independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA), who is Deaf and provides specialist support to victim / survivors aged 16+ living in Derby and Derbyshire. Their IDVA / ISVA can support victims through both the civil and criminal justice systems and assist with accessing key services, including housing, health, and financial support. They can also liaise with other agencies to ensure the victim’s safety remains a priority at all times.
They can be contacted on 01773 828233 or by email at info@deafinitelywomen.org.uk.
Safe and Sound
Safe and Sound are a Derby based charity providing support directly to children, young people and families in Derby and Derbyshire affected by child sexual exploitation. They work to ensure that individuals receive the support they need to move forwards in their lives.
They can be contacted on 01332 362120 or online at Safe and Sound - Contact
Derbyshire Constabulary
You can report any incident to the police, whether it is something that has just happened, or something less recent.
Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger or the offence has just happened. Otherwise, you can call 101, visit your nearest police station, or report online at Derbyshire Constabulary - Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences.
Revenge Porn Helpline
The Revenge Porn Helpline supports adults age 18+ who are experiencing intimate image abuse. They can be contacted on 0345 6000 459 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, or by email at help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk.
Your Journey booklet
Experiencing sexual abuse can be devastating and deciding whether to seek support or report what has happened can feel overwhelming.
Everyone’s journey is different, and there is no right or wrong decision.
The Derbyshire Your Journey booklet is designed to help adults understand the support available and the options open to them. It explains the different services that can offer help, as well as what reporting to the police might involve, if that is something you are considering.
This booklet will guide you through:
- the support services available in Derbyshire
- what independent, confidential help looks like
- the reporting process, from first contact through to potential court proceedings, if this is an option you decide to pursue
- your rights, choices, and what to expect at each stage
Whether you are seeking support for yourself, supporting someone else, or working professionally with survivors, this booklet aims to help you make informed decisions at your own pace.
The Derbyshire Your Journey booklet has been adapted from materials originally developed by the Consent Coalition in consultation with survivors, and is available on the Safer Derbyshire website in:
The Derbyshire adaptation was supported through funding from the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner.